fish bit during the cold weather

[russjess]

wonder if the fish will even be moving today anyone thinking about going out

[FISH-MITS]

I'm willing to bet its slow 

[russjess]

where you been going
`

[SpoonieLuv]

I don't think the above ice temps really have anything to do with the fishing, maybe the fronts moving through do,  but not the air temps. This weather affects us more then the fish. Get out and let us know how it was, I'll be sitting here next to a nice fire drinking hot coffee and watching fishing on TV . Good luck!

[Kevin23]

They bit yesterday evening.

[ScaleHusker]

On a fishing trip last year north of the boarder, the guide told my group that if you get three steady days of weather (no matter the Temp) to fish the third day and days following until it breaks.

[MelroseHawkins]

On a fishing trip last year north of the boarder, the guide told my group that if you get three steady days of weather (no matter the Temp) to fish the third day and days following until it breaks.

That's what I think would be most important.  Funny, I have a temp on my fish locator.  Everytime I turn it on for giggles while ice fishing, the temp always says the water is 32 degrees.  I guess it said it was 31 degrees up at Spirit last Thursday.

I think the fish react more to weather changes & pressures (barometer) than the air temps.  And once the weather pattern stays consistent, they do better.

[SpoonieLuv]

Ol' Hawkins couldn't have said it any better!

[TRCrappie]

Meant to look that up last saturday we ended up catching over 100.  Went Monday and only ended up with around 30 to 40.  Was going to look up the pressure and types of fronts because the weather was warmer on Monday.  Think they need stable conditions myself.  The 3 days in a row thing sounds like it makes sense.  I always go when it warms up alot thinking that will help turn them on and it always seems like the worst  bites.  Just nice to get out when it is that warm.  Hopefully that is the case should be a good weekend.

[bert29]

during midwinter, I think an overlooked factor is oxygen content of the water. At early ice, oxygen content ppm is usually highest since the lakes/ponds, etc have just frozen over. Fish tend to be more active and willing to pursue baits/food because enivronment has sufficient breathable oxygen. As midwinter arrives (like now) snow cover, decaying animal and plant matter begin to subtract and restrict oxygen availability of fish--hence the legarthic attitude most fish seem to exhibit. Finding areas where underwater springs, freshwater inflow or areas with healthy green vegetation might collect more "active and agressive fish" to catch. That's why during midwinter and into late winter, I'll catch fish close to top of water column sometimes only a foot or two under the ice--even though you would think they wouldn't be there. Water temp is heaviest at 39 degrees so it sinks--and therefore you would think the fish would seek the warmest most stable portion of the body of water they are in (which often they do) but that "midwinter squeeze" of lack of oxygen I think starts to affect them more and they move to where they can basically "breathe" easier.
As many of icefishermen on this site and of course on national shows continue to preach is mobility and move to find the fish. Willingness to move and try new things seems to result in some good catches even in tough times.
Last year was a great example of this "squeeze" as we had so much snow and ice cover for so long--friends and I were catching some nice crappies over 20ft of water only 1-2 ft below the ice...ponds too. In areas where earlier in winter we'd catch gills/bass/crappies in the deepest portion, they'd become almost dead seas in late Jan/early Feb...we were finding the fish in the shallows under 2ft of ice and only in 4-5ft of water...I'm guessing it was an oxygen thing that put them there---food source maybe too, but that ability to breathe is pretty strong (think of us humans) we can go without food for 20 days, without water for 2-3 days, but only go without oxygen for a few minutes. If you're fortunate to know or find those "springs or incoming water sources--or green vegetation areas, give it try here in the next few weeks, especially if you are experiencing tough times on your favorite locations. Good luck to all!

[FISH-MITS]

where you been going
`

Fronts, barometric pressure, colder weather, warmer weather, moon phases it all runs together and goes hand in hand. My journal tells me fishing will be slower today based on the trends - no matter where you fish RussJess. I've stayed around Black Hawk County this season for the most part. If anyone catches a bucket full today - post a dated picture and if I ever run into you you're next tub of wax worms is on me.

[Bull_Gill_Mike]

Fronts, barometric pressure, colder weather, warmer weather, moon phases it all runs together and goes hand in hand. My journal tells me fishing will be slower today based on the trends - no matter where you wish Mr. RussJess. Everyone who catches a bucket full today - please post a dated picture - I liked to be proved wrong.

Whats your journal say for tomorrow  

[SpoonieLuv]

Yeah Fish-Mits what's your journal say for the next 2 weeks. 

[FISH-MITS]

The question is my friends - what do you're journals say?

But I'll indulge a bit.

* High pressure comes with clear skies - fish slow down, find cover or go to deeper waters.

* Rising pressure comes with clearing or improving weather - fish tend to become slightly more active.

* Normal and stable pressure comes with fair weather - fishing is normal.

* Falling pressure comes with degrading weather - most active fishing.

* Slightly lower pressure comes typically with cloudy weather - fish willl head away from cover and seek shallower waters - some fish will become more aggresive.

* Low pressure comes with high precipitation - fish will tend to become less active the longer this period remains.

I'll have to leave it up to Spoonie and Bull to watch their own forecast and moon phases - wouldn't be fair for me to do all the work.

[FISH-MITS]

In the winter cold air temp typically comes with cloud cover being pushed out. There for creating a trend between cold air temp and a high barometric pressure and slower fishing - not that there aren't exceptions...

RussJess I read you're post after posting I thought the fishing could be slow. I was on a work break and read you're post "where you been going". In my haste sounded to me like you we're calling me out - innocent enough though. I was a little on edge after having a bit of a heater with a gentlemen on an ESPN thread - all in good sport though  . Been fish'n BH County primarily. Going to hit some private water down the road from Sportsmans in Ankeney tomorow.


Great thread! Its definitely not a perfect science... I'm not going to act like I'm Carnac-The-Magnificant 


 
There are trends though.

[ScaleHusker]

Sounds like your a natural Anne Frank with this journaling, do u have scratch n sniff stickers for the days you get skunked? lol...... sry J couldn't resist.

[FISH-MITS]

Anne Frank actually took notes - I'm more like the "Rain Man" and for the days I get skunked... Tequilla!

All in good fun!!

[ScaleHusker]

Funny crap man

[Bull_Gill_Mike]

Thanks for the info, I'll have to put that in my journal.  Somebody has to do all the work right? See you on the ice Stange